How To Use Acrylic Stamps

Guest Author - Michelle McVaney

It seems that every scrapbooking company is making acrylic stamps these days. I love acrylic stamps because I can see where I am placing them to make the stamped image. Acrylic stamps are sort of like window clings. They will cling to hard surfaces. Acrylic stamps will cling directly to acrylic blocks without the need for a mounting cushion. All you do is peal the stamp from the plastic backing sheet it is stored on and then stick the stamps directly to the acrylic block. Press the stamp into the ink, and stamp in the exact place you want your image to appear. Because acrylic stamps are clear, it is easy to see exactly where the image will go and what it will look like.

Stamping with acrylic stamps is pretty much the same as stamping with wood mounted stamps, but you can see where your image is going to be through the clear stamps and acrylic blocks. You can use all of the same techniques that you would use with regular stamps.

I have tried many methods of storing my acrylic stamps but the method I have found that works the best is my Crop In Style Paper sticker binder. I will be posting another article about storing acrylic stamps later.

Like most tools, there are some things you need to do to maintain your acrylic stamps for years of use:

1. Store your stamps in a cool, dry place, and away from sunlight. Sunlight can cause your stamps to harden and dry out, making them impossible to use.

2. Clean your stamps immediately after using them. Baby wipes or stamp cleaners work well for cleaning your stamps. If the stamps are staining from the inks used, spray on a VERY diluted mixture of bleach and water and rub gently using a soft cloth. Rinse immediately to remove ALL of the bleach solution.

3. After repeated use, the "cling" side of the stamp usually starts to lose its clinginess. To restore the cling, use soap and water to wash away dust, lint, ink, and other particles.

4. Store your stamps in something that will protect them from falling off the backing sheet and getting lost.

Acrylic stamps are made by nearly every scrapbooking company and in nearly every theme imaginable! If you are like me, once you have used them once, you will find yourself craving more to add to your collection!